Alpha-pompilidotoxin (alpha-PMTX), a novel neurotoxin from the venom of a solitary wasp, facilitates transmission in the crustacean neuromuscular synapse.
A new neurotoxin, named alpha-pompilidotoxin (alpha-PMTX) has been found in the venom of the solitary wasp Anoplius safnariensis. In the neuromuscular synapse of the lobster walking leg preparation, alpha-PMTX (10-100 micro/M) caused great enhancement of both the excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials. Recordings of the excitatory post synaptic currents (EPSCs) at the synaptic sites showed that alpha-PMTX reversibly and dose-dependently potentiates EPSCs. Alpha-PMTX may act primarily on the presynaptic membrane but the mode of action of the toxin is clearly different from other known facilitatory neurotoxins, such as alpha-latrotoxin, apamin or charybdotoxin. This novel toxin will serve as a useful tool in the research field of neuroscience.
Konno
K
K
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo University, Kanagawa, Japan.
Miwa
A
A
Takayama
H
H
Hisada
M
M
Itagaki
Y
Y
Naoki
H
H
Yasuhara
T
T
Kawai
N
N
D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D019706:Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008121:Nephropidae; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects*; D014862:Wasp Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology*
D014862:Wasp Venoms